ACC Bowl Games
There are ten ACC teams playing in bowl games, the most of any conference. The most anticipated game is obviously Clemson vs Alabama. Picking who makes it to the playoffs is one thing, predicting the winners of them is another. These betting sites have been tested out if you’re planning to make bets yourself. Whether you’re betting on just the Sugar Bowl, your favorite team, or all of the bowls, good luck to you!
Now on to the ACC Bowls!
Dec. 26 – Quick Lane – Detroit, Michigan – 5:15 ESPN – Duke (6-6) vs Northern Illinois (8-4)
Duke will square off against somewhat scary Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl, and this is big opportunity for Duke to continue their season ending momentum. If Duke can limit their turnovers, they’ll take care of Northern Illinois.
Prediction: Duke 27 Northern Illinois 20
Dec. 27 – Independence – Shreveport, Louisiana – 1:30 ESPN – Florida State (6-6) vs Southern Miss (8-4)
Florida State might be playing a virtual road game with Southern Miss in the Independence Bowl; Southern Miss finished the season 8-4 and second in C-USA West. Florida State will be without title-winning coach Jimbo Fisher, and under the guidance of interim head coach Odell Haggins. Nobody knows how the disappointing Seminoles will perform after a change in leadership, and Southern Miss can give FSU some problems. It all depends on the interest level of the FSU. I think the Noles will show some pride and they still have too much talent for Southern Miss.
Prediction: Florida State 31 Southern Miss 21
Dec. 27 – Pinstripe – New York, New York – 5:15 ESPN – Boston College (7-5) vs Iowa (7-5)
Boston College travels to Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa, where they’ll be a small underdog. It’s an interesting matchup because both teams had uncharacteristically explosive offensive performances this season, with Iowa scoring 55 points on Ohio State and Boston College having big games against Louisville, Syracuse, and Florida State. Don’t expect a shootout though, these are still defense-first teams, and neither will do a lot of scoring.
Prediction: Iowa 21, BC 17
Dec. 28 – Military – Annapolis, Maryland – 1:30 ESPN – Virginia (6-6) vs Navy (6-5)
Virginia plays Navy in the Military Bowl, in an underrated matchup that pits the Cavaliers’ solid defense against the Midshipmen’s efficient option offense. It’s the opposite story on the other side of the ball, with a bit of a suspect Virginia offense facing Navy’s struggling defense, but that all makes for a very even matchup. Give Navy a few points for home-field advantage and the option effect.
Prediction: Navy 28, Virginia 27
Dec. 28 – Camping World – Orlando, Florida – 5:15 ESPN – Virginia Tech (9-3) vs Oklahoma State (9-3)
In a similar matchup to Virginia/Navy, Virginia Tech’s solid defense will be across the ball from Oklahoma State’s basketball-on-grass offense at the Camping World Bowl. This is one of the best non Big 6 bowl games of bowl season. Oklahoma State doesn’t face many defenses the caliber of the Hokies in the Big 12. That will be the difference.
Prediction: VT 38 Oklahoma State 34
Dec. 29 – Belk – Charlotte, North Carolina – 1:00 ESPN – Wake Forest (7-5) vs Texas A&M (7-5)
In the Belk Bowl, Wake Forest finds an unpredictable Texas A&M team, which just fired its head coach after a 7-5 season and hired Jimbo Fisher, at Florida State. Even if the Aggies hadn’t just hired a new staff, Wake Forest will have an advantage playing so close to home. Dave Clawson is the best coach in the country nobody outside the ACC knows about.
Pediction: Wake Forest 21, Texas A&M 17
Dec. 29 – Sun Bowl – El Paso, Texas – 3:00 ESPN – NC State (8-4) vs Arizona State (7-5)
NC State (8-4) plays Arizona State (7-5) in the Sun Bowl, where they will be heavily favored. NC State managed to hold onto Dave Doeren after some looks from Tennessee. Take NC State and that defensive front.
Prediction: NC State 24, ASU 10
Dec. 30 – TaxSlayer – Jacksonville, Florida – 12:00 ESPN – Louisville (8-4) vs Mississippi State (8-4)
Louisville meets Mississippi State in the TaxSlayer Bowl, in what will likely be Lamar Jackson’s last game as a Cardinal. Mississippi State lost their coach and their QB in the last month, and quietly Louisville played very solid football the last few weeks of the season. Lamar Jackson is going to go out a winner.
Prediction: Louisville 34 Mississippi State 24
Dec. 30 – Orange – Miami Gardens, Florida – 8:00 ESPN – Miami (10-2) and Wisconsin (12-1)
In the Orange Bowl, disappointed former Playoff contenders Miami (10-2) and Wisconsin (12-1) will work out their frustrations on each other, while playing fantastic defense. Scoring will be at a premium in this one. The loss of tight end Chris Herndon has hurt the Canes, and the team looked completely over-matched against Clemson in the ACC Championship. The game is in Miami though, where the Canes are a different team, but the Badgers might have too much for them defensively.
Prediction: Wisconsin 17, Miami 14
Jan. 1 – Sugar – New Orleans, Louisiana – 8:45 – Clemson (12-1) vs Alabama (11-1)
Defending National Champion Clemson will play its annual rivalry game with Alabama. Bama has largely dominated a relatively weak schedule (by SEC standards) but we know how talented the Tide is. Alabama should be healthier than they’ve been since early in the season, but so will Clemson who have injuries of their own. Clemson is better at QB, and along the defensive line. The Tigers return to the national title game.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Alabama 24
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